Thursday, January 27, 2011

Retailer Sells Limited-Edition I Believe Bracelet for $3, Donates to Scholarship Program with the National Urban League's Project Ready Program to Support the Future of African American and Other Minority Youth

Via Press Release: In celebration of Black History Month this February, Payless ShoeSource® will continue its successful Payless Inspiring Possibilities Scholarship program by joining together with its shoppers and the National Urban League (NUL) to raise money to support the future of African American and other minority youth.

Now in its third year with the program, Payless will again sell a limited-edition I Believe accessory for only $3 in more than 800 stores nationwide and Payless.com®, while supplies last, and will donate a minimum donation of $35,000 to the Payless Inspiring Possibilities Scholarship program established with NUL. Payless said it expects NUL to distribute about a dozen scholarships to African American and other minority youth through its signature education program, Project Ready, for the 2011-2012 academic season.

This year's limited-edition item is the I Believe bracelet, available beginning Feb. 1 in select stores and on Payless.com. The bracelet features a red faux suede double-band bracelet anchored by a silver-toned ring inscribed with the inspiring messages "Dream" and "Believe," offset by two drop charms: a clear faceted round charm and a white medallion disc.

"Financial constraints hinder too many of our nation's youth in pursuit of their academic dreams," said LuAnn Via, president and CEO of Payless. "Our partnership with NUL has enabled Payless to distribute scholarships to underserved youth, thereby allowing deserving students to attain their educational goals and lay the foundation for a strong future. This philanthropic program, like so many at Payless, democratizes giving by offering on-trend items at a great price point so that more people can support the causes important to them."

To be eligible for a 2011-2012 Payless Inspiring Possibilities Scholarship, students must be a registered Project Ready participant, and submit materials by the scholarship deadline of March 1, 2011. For additional information about the nomination process, please visit http://www.nul.org/ or the local NUL affiliate office.